Automatic reversing rotary sprinkler



. P 1941. o. H. ENGLEHART 2,256,737

AUTOMATIC REVERSING ROTARY, SPRINKLER Filed July 14, 1957 Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC REVERSING ROTARY SPRINKLER Orton H. Engleliart, Glendora, Calif.

Application July 14, 1937, Serial No. 153,555

12 Claims. (Cl. 299-71) This invention relates to rotary sprinklers such as used for watering lawns, golf courses, or the like, and the invention concerns itself particularly with the rotary type of sprinkler head in which the head rotates through a predetermined angle in one direction, and then reverses its direction of movement and rotates in an opposite direction. This type of sprinkler head is particularly advantageous to enable a lawn to be sprinkled up to a dividing wall or hedge without throwing water beyond the boundary line.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a rotary sprinkler of simple construction, which will be automatically operated by the force of the issuing jet of water to cause the head to rotate in one direction with a step-by-step movement, and then at a predetermined point to automatically reverse its direction of rotation and rotate in the opposite direction with a stepby-step movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction for the sprinkler head, which will enable the angle of swing of the rotary head to be readily adjusted to any angle desired.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combination of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an eflicient automatic reversing rotary sprinkler.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a sprinkler head embodying my invention, certain parts being v in Fig. 1, but showing the outer end of the deflector arm in section taken about on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; at another point a portion of the impulse arm is broken away and shown in section. This view shows the relation of the parts when they are set to rotate the sprinkler head in an anti-clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but not showing the deflector in section, and illustrating the parts set for the rotation of the sprinkler head in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken about on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, further illustrating details of the trip device, or tripping means, which effects the reversal of rotation of the head.

Fig. 5 isa cross-section taken about on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, upon an enlarged scale, and omitting the side walls of the casing.

Fig. 6 is a plan of a nozzle of modified form, that may be employed with the sprinkler head. This view also shows a Part of the impulse arm, and illustrates how they cooperate with each other in controlling the direction of the water jet.

Before proceeding to a more detailed description of the invention, it should be stated that in the operation of the device, the sprinkler head is mounted for rotation on a more or less upright or vertical axis. Associated with the sprinkler head, I provide an impulse arm carrying a deflector that has a limited rotation on a more or less upright or vertical axis, so that the impulse arm may assume a position in which the deflector lies in the path of the jet issuing from the nozzle. The force of the water impinging on the deflector causes a swing of the arm, and causes part of the arm to impinge against a part carried by the head proper, thereby causing a rotation of the rotary head in one direction on its axis. In the present embodiment of the invention, this direction of rotation would be anticlockwise. After each impingement of the impulse arm that causes a slight forward rotation of the head, the arm returns so that the deflector is brought back into the path of the water jet. When this occurs, the end of the impulse arm is arrested with the deflector substantially in line with the jet, but the momentum of the turning movement of the impulse arm is insufllcient to move the rotary head in the opposite direction from that in which it is intended to rotate. In the forward swing of the impulse arm for the anti-clockwise or forward direction of rotation, I prefer to employ a movable stop for arresting the impulse arm, and for transferring its momentum to the head proper, or head casing, to cause the same to rotate. After the rotary head, is rotated through a predetermined angle, this movable stop is automatically shifted so that it is out of the path of the impulse arm. After this occurs, the impulse arm swings through a considerably greater angle than before, so as to build up considerable force in a return spring that returns the impulse arm into the jet. Eventually the force of this spring checks the momentum given to the impulse arm by the jet,

and returns the arm against the stop on the head, preferably located near the tip of the nozzle. and

this impact transfers the momentum of the returning arm to the head and causes a stepby-step rotation in the reverse direction; that is to say, in a clockwise direction, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1-3 inclusive, the rotary head includes a nozzle head I, which is preferably in the form of a wide angled elbow having a shank 2 that is mounted for rotation on a more or less upright or vertical axis, the upper portion of the nozzle head being formed with an outwardly and preferably upwardly inclined nozzle 3. This nozzle has an orifice 4 through which a jet of water issues in an upwardly inclined direction. In practice, it is preferable to have this orifice formed in a removable tip 5 that may be attached by means of screw threads 6 in the end of the nozzle 3. In the present instance, this tip 5 has a substantially hexagonal body, which may be cut away as shown so as to leave it with a projecting dog or fin I, which operates as a stop in a manner to be described hereinafter. Mounted on nozzle head I, and preferably above the same as shown in Fig. 1, I provide an impulse arm 8. This impulse arm preferably carries a sleeve 9 mounted for rotation on a fixed post I!) that may be attached by threads II in a boss l2 on the upper side of the nozzle head. The rear end of the arm 8 is constructed so as to cooperate with a movable stop l3 (see Fig. 3) which stop or dog, is mounted on a part fixed with respect to the nozzle head, and preferably secured to a rocker pin l4 carried in a casing or extension I5 that projects ofi from the rear side of the nozzle head. The rear portion of the impulse arm 8 may have a lateral extension l5 terminating in a downwardly projecting dog, or finger II, that 'is adapted to strike the end of the movable stop I3 if this stop is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. This position of the stop corresponds to an anticlockwise rotation of the nozzle, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. The forward end of the arm 8 is formed with a deflector, or impulse head l8, which comes into the path of the jet of water when the impulse head is in contact withthe stop I, and this impulse head is formed into'a deflector plate l9 that deflects the jet of water toward the right with respect to its direction in issuing from the orifice 4. The reaction of the jet leaving the deflector I 9, will cause the impulse arm 8 to swing in an anti-clockwise direction, and when the dog or finger l1 strikes the I a movable stop l3, the momentum of the arm will be imparted to the nozzle head I and cause it to rotate through a slight angle in an anti-clockwise direction.

Means is provided for returning the impulse arm 8 into contact with the stop I, and for this purpose I prefer to employ a coil spring 20 coaxial with the post III, the lower end of the spring being attached at 2| to the arm 8, and the upper torting it through the slight angle indicated by the position of the arm 8 in Fig. 2, does not build up a great resilient force in the spring, but suflicient to enable the spring to return the impulse head l8 across the jet issuing from the orifice 4. However, the movement of the impulse head across the issuing jet of water is assisted by providing a slightly inclined plate '24 (see Fig. 2),

which has an uninclined end portion 25 that passes into the water jet first, and the water then passes through a guide duct 28 at this point, and

flows along the inner faceof the inclined plate 24, causing the complete return movement of the impulse head I 8; that is to say, will bring the impulse head l8 far enough to bring the deflector l9 effectively into the jet so as to enable a new impulse to be imparted to the impulse head I8 to initiate the next swinging movement of the arm 8.

Means is provided for yieldingly holding the movable stop I3 in the position indicated in Fig. 2, or in the retracted position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 3. Any kind of a snap-over construction can be provided for this purpose. In the present instance, I prefer to provide the rocker pin M with a rigid arm 21 (see Fig. 5) and I also provide a rock shaft 28 extending up into the casing I5 from below, and also provided with a rigid arm 29. These arms project in a general direction toward each other, and between their ends I attach a compression spring 30 in the form of a light coil spring. It should be understood that automatic means is provided for shifting the arm 29 first to one side and then to the other. In the position of these parts shown in Fig. 5, the spring will thrust against the arm 21 in a direction to rotate the movable stop l3 toward the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2. Ifthe arm 29 is shifted over to an opposite position so that it crosses the linejoining the rock shaft 28 and the rocker pin l4, it is evident that the thrust of the spring will be in an opposite direction so as to hold the .stop IS in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. In order to limit the movement of the stop l3 in itstwo extreme positions, the stop arm 13 may be provided at thev side of the stop that cooperate with a fixed pin 3| projecting up from the upper plate oithecasing itv m be evident that if the stop I3 is moved into the position illustrated in Fig. 3, the finger I! will missthe stop and permit a considerably increased angle'of movement of the impulse arm Eventually, however, the force built up in the spring 20 will 8 in an anti-clockwise direction.

The means for controlling the rocking of the rock shaft 28, preferably comprises a yoke 32 having an opening 33 through which the shank of the nozzle head I passes; in other words, this yoke extends over to the forward side of the shank of the nozzle head at which point it is provided with a downwardly projecting finger 34. It will be evident that when the nozzle head I is rotating on the axis of the shank, this downwardly projecting finger 34 will move with the nozzle head around the axis of the shank 2. I provide adjustable means associated with the shank of the nozzle. head for projecting into the path of the finger 34 to trip' the rock shaft 28 to its opposite position. For this purpose I prefer to provide two resilient rings 35 and 36, which are friction-tight on a long collar 31 that projects up from the upper end of a bushing 38 that carriesthe shank 2. The body of this bushing may be formed into a hexagonal nut 39 for screwing the bushing into place in the socket head 40 that is carried at the upper end of the stand pipe 4| that carries the nozzle..

Each of the rings 35 and 36 is provided with a long car 42 in the path of the finger 34, and a short ear 43. Although these rings clamp themselves friction-tight on the sleeve or long collar 31 they can be readily spread apart by inserting a screw-driver end or similar instrument in between the ears 42 and 43. Evidently the position of the long ears 42 will determine the angle of swing or the nozzle head I in each direction.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the fln I is relatively short, but if desired, I may substitute a relatively long fin or flnger la, as illustrated in Fig. 6. This finger la projects beyond the deflector plate l9 so as to be in the path of the jet as it leaves this deflector plate, and this operates to bend the stream or jet back into a more nearly radial direction from the axis of the rotary head.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments this invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of the invention, nor in the claims, to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is:

'1. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a water jet, means for supporting the sprinklerhead to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinkler-head and having a deflector capable of moving into the said jet so that the jet will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis and out of the jet, a spring for urging the impulse arm in a direction to return the deflector into the jet, means cooperating with the impulse arm to cause a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in one direction, and means operating after the sprinkler-head has moved through a predetermined angle to eilect a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in the reverse direction.

2. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream 01' water, means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinklerhead and having a deflector capable of moving into the said stream so that the stream will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a movably mounted stop on the sprinkler head operating to arrest the movement of the arm when impelled by the force of the stream, and thereby impart force to the spiinkler head for causing a stepby-step rotation of the head on its axis in a forward direction, automatic means operating after the head has rotated through a predetermined angle, for moving the stop out of the path of the arm, a return spring urging the arm to bring the deflector back into the path of the stream, and a stop carried on the nozzle for arresting the arm in its return movement, and operating to impart a rotary force to the sprinkler head, all said parts cooperating to cause a step-by-step rotation of the head in the reverse direction after the movable stop has been moved out of the path of the arm.

3. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinklerhead and having a deflector capable of movin into the said stream so that the stream will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a stop pivotally supported on the head and operating in one position to arrest the movement of the arm occasioned by the force of the stream, a return spring operating to return the arm into the stream each time the arm is moved out o! the stream by the force of the water, automatic means operating after the head has rotated through a predetermined angle for moving the stop out of the path of the arm so that it will not arrest the arm, said nozzle having a stop tor arresting the return movement of arm by said spring at the end of its return movement and operating to impart a rotating force to the sprinkler head, all said parts cooperating to cause a step-by-step rotation of the sprinklerhead in a reverse direction after the stop has been moved out 01' the path of the arm.

4. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination 0! a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinklerhead and having a deflector capable of movin into the said stream so that the stream will'cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a stop pivotally supported on the head and operating in one position to arrest the movement of the arm occasioned by the force of the stream, a return spring operating to return the arm into the stream each time the arm is moved out of the stream by the force oi! the water, automatic means operating after the head is rotated through a predetermined angle for moving the stop so that it will not arrest the arm, said nozzle having a stop for arresting the arm at the end of its return movement, all of said parts cooperating to cause a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in a reverse direction, after the pivotal stop has been moved to prevent its arresting the arm, and means for yieldingly holding the pivoted stop in the path of the arm or out of the path of the arm.

5. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, supporting means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinkler-head and having a deflector capable of moving into the said stream so that the stream will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a stop pivotally supported on the head and operating in one position to arrest the movement of the arm occasioned by the force of the stream, a return spring operating to return the arm into the stream each time the arm is moved out of the stream by the forc of the water, a trip device pivotally supported on the head and operating to move with the head when the same is rotating on the axis of the head, fixed means supported by the supporting means for tripping the trip device after the head has rotated through a predetermined angle, and means for connecting the trip device to the pivoted stop to move the pivoted stop out of the path of the arm, said nozzle having a stop in the path of the returning arm, and operating to cause a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in a reverse direction, after the trip device has been tripped.

6. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination 0! a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, supporting means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinklerhead and having a deflector capable of moving into the said stream so that the stream will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a stop pivotally supported on the head and operating in one position to arrest the movement of the arm occasioned by theforce of the stream, a

return spring operating to return the arm into the stream each time the arm is moved out of the stream by the force of the water, a trip de+ vice pivotally supported on the head and opermeans for connecting the trip device to the pivoted stop to move the stop out of the path of the arm, said nozzle having a stop in the path of the returning arm, and operating to cause a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in a reverse direction after the pivoted stop has been movedout of the path of the arm, and means capable of being fixed on the supporting means operating to trip the trip device after the sprinkler-head has rotated through a predetermined angle in the reverse direction.

7. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, supporting means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis, an impulsearm mounted to rotate on the sprinkler-head and having a deflector capable of moving into the said stream so that the stream will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a stop pivotally supported on the head and operating in one position to arrest the movement of the arm occasioned by the force of the stream, a return spring operating to return the arm into the stream each time the arm is moved out of stream by the force of the water, a trip device including a yoke supported for pivotal movement on the sprinkler-head at the side thereof adjacent to the pivoted stop, said yoke having a trip finger located on the side of the sprinkler-head remote fromv the pivoted stop, and means capable of being adjustably fixed on the supporting means to be engaged by the said trip finger after the nozzle has rotated through a predetermined angle, all of said parts cooperating to shift the pivoted stop alternately in and out of the path, of the arm, and cooperating when the stop is in a the path of the arm to effect a step-by-step rotation of the nozzle in the direction in which the deflector arm is moved by the stream; and a stop on the head impinged by the returning arm and operating to cause a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in a reverse direction after the pivoted step has been moved out of the path of the arm.

8. In a rotary sprinkler,'the combination of a sprinkler-head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, supporting means for supporting the sprinkler-head to rotate about an axis,

an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinkler-head and having a deflector capable of moving into the said stream so that the stream 5 will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a j a stop pivotally supported on the head and operating in one position to arrest the movement of a 1 the arm occasioned by the force of the stream, a i 3 return spring operating to return the arm into 3 the stream each time the arm is moved out of 5 the stream by the force of the water, a trip dej vice including a yoke supported for pivotal move- 1 ment on the sprinkler-head at the side thereof adjacent to the pivoted stop, said yoke having a trip finger located on the side of the sprinkler- 1 head remote from the pivoted stop, and means capable of being adjustably fixed on the support- 3 ing means to be engaged by the said trip finger after the nozzle has rotated through a predeter- 1 mined angle, all of said parts cooperating to shift the pivoted stop alternately in and out of the path of the arm, and cooperating when the stop is in the path of the arm to effect a step-by-step rotation of the nozzle in the direction in which the deflector arm is moved by the stream, a stop on the head impinged by the returning arm and operating to cause, a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler-head in a reverse direction after the pivoted stop has been moved out of the path of the arm, and means for yieldingly holding the pivoted stop in the path of the arm or out of the path of the arm.

9. A rotary sprinkler comprising a sprinkler head mounted for rotation and having a nozzle member projecting therefrom and provided with a jet opening, an arm mounted for oscillatory movement on said member, means provided with the arm whereby water issuing from the jet opening under pressure will swing the arm away from the member, means to return the arm to its normal position whereby the arm will constantly oscillate as long as a jet of water emerges from the opening, and means between the arm and member to impart a rotative impulse to the member with each outward movement of the arm.

10. In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler head having a nomle for projecting a water jet, means for supporting the sprinkler head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinkler head and having a deflector capable of moving into the said jet so that the jet will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis out of the jet, means for urging the impulse arm in a direction to return the deflector into the jet, means including a stop for arresting the return movement of the impulse arm and preventing the same from passing completely through the jet, said means cooperating with the impulse arm to cause a stepby-step rotation of the sprinkler head in one direction, and means operating after the sprinkler head has moved through a predetermined angle, to effect a step-by-step rotation of the sprinkler head in a reverse direction.

'11; In a rotary sprinkler, the combination of a sprinkler head having a nozzle for projecting a stream of water, means for supporting the sprinkler head to rotate about an axis, an impulse arm mounted to rotate on the sprinkler head and having a deflector capable of moving into, but not completely through, the said stream, so that the stream will cause the impulse arm to swing on its axis, a movably mounted stop on the sprinkler head operating to arrest the movement of the arm when impelled by the force of the stream and thereby impart force to the sprinkler head for causing a step-by-step rotation of the head on its axis in a forward direction, automatic means oscillating after the head has rotated through a predetermined angle for moving the movable stop out of the path of the arm, a return spring urging the arm to bring the deflector back into the path of the stream, and a a jet opening and a stop, an arm mounted for oscillatory movement on said member, said stop operating to prevent said arm from swingin past the jet opening, means provided with the arm whereby water issuing from the jet opening under pressure will swing the arm outward, away, from the stop, means to return the arm to its normal position against the stop whereby the arm will constantly oscillate as long as the jet of water emerges from the jet opening, and means between the arm and nozzle member in the path of the arm in its outward swing to impart a rotative impulse to the nozzle member by each impingement of the arm.

ORTON H. ENGLEHART. 

